While He Waited in Aspen, I Married His Rival Chapter 18

While He Waited in Aspen, I Married His Rival Chapter 18

“Thirsty?” Ethan’s voice was husky with sleep. He unscrewed the thermos on the nightstand and handed it to me, a hint of satisfied triumph on his handsome face.

Now I understood why he insisted on preparing a cup of warm water every night before bed.

After I drank the whole cup, the dryness in my throat finally eased.

Then Ethan asked, as if it were a casual thought, “You never told Liam your ranch’s financial troubles were over, that you weren’t going bankrupt?”

“If you had explained it sooner, maybe he would have understood you weren’t marrying him for that ridiculous acquisition payment.”

I set the cup down, my fingertips cold.

“I tried to tell him. But that day, Chloe called about some ‘urgent meeting.’ He rushed off before I could finish.”

I looked up, watching for his reaction. I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about me mentioning another man.

To my surprise, his eyes were filled with pure heartache for me. He gently took my hand.

“I’m sorry you went through that, Ava. He’ll pay for it.”

I nodded, my voice calm.

“I heard you on the phone last night. You’re buying up his company’s assets.”

“You think I’m being too harsh?” he asked, arching a brow.

I smiled faintly and leaned into his solid embrace, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart.

“I’m your wife. Right now, I just think you’re doing a great job.”

Ethan’s breath caught, and his arms tightened around me.

Just then, my nephew’s clear voice rang out from the yard.

“Aunt Ava! There’s a man here to see you!”